This is test page 1 of 15 in this section.

[JUMP STRAIGHT TO THE FIRST SECURITY TEST
(i.e., skip the intro).]

Security Facts Vs Hype

Security issues seem to generate more hype and, um, misinformation than almost any other area of browsing.

I believe Web security issues are greatly exaggerated. Yes, there can be problems. The Web is a reflection of society--no better, no worse--and all the same abuses that go on in the real world can also happen in cyberspace.

Take credit cards, for example. Sure, if you transmit your credit-card data over an open link, it's theoretically possible for someone to grab the numbers and run up your bill. But the same can be said in the real world any time you give your credit card to a waiter or waitress or salesperson--they can run off extra copies of your imprint or jot down the numbers. Or someone in the billing department can access your account information at their leisure. Real-world or on the Web, it's exactly the same risk. There's no extra risk involved by being online.

Or, take passwords. In the real world, if you're careless in using an ATM (cash machine) or long-distance card, someone peering over your shoulder can memorize your account code and PIN and drain your account or run up your phone bill. Likewise, if you're careless online with your passwords, it's theoretically possible for someone to peer over your virtual shoulder and steal the information. Real-world or on the Web, it's exactly the same risk. There's no additional risk involved by being online. In fact--although I cannot prove this--I'm willing to bet a tender body part that far more fraud and theft occurs in the real world than has ever or will ever occur online, at least until some distant day when we all live in a totally online, cashless society. (Don't hold your breath.)

So let's start by not being alarmist. The real risks of being online are usually subtler and involve prosaic things like downloading a virus-laden file, running a rogue Java or ActiveX applet, or accidentally stumbling into a part of the Net where the content might offend you. Over time, as electronic commerce grows, the ability to make secure transactions online will gain importance. And as you become more and more of a Netizen, the ability to identify yourself as you (and not an imposter) will also gain importance.

Within your business, security is rarely something that's controlled at the browser level. Usually, corporate LANs and intranets are protected by firewalls, proxies and other hardware/software combinations. Corporate policy should be designed to take care of the human-behavioral issues. However, even in a business setting, things like viruses, rogue ActiveX or Java applets, and the like, still can be a problem.

The next pages will explore various browser technologies designed to help with the above.